Man arrested in Cork over UK violence allegations

A man wanted by the British authorities in connection with a number of alleged violent offences including attempted murder has been brought before the High Court in Dublin.

The UK is seeking the extradition of a British national Simeon Langford, aka Luke Gillespie, who the court heard was arrested by the Gardaí in Cork on foot of a European arrest warrant issued earlier this week.

The warrant seeking Mr Langford’s extradition says he breached the terms of his release on license from a UK prison where he was serving a sentence for gross bodily harm.

It is further alleged in the warrant that Mr Langford, from Bristol, committed other offences in June of this year including attempted murder and GBH.

Giving evidence of his arrest, Det Garda Michael Kelly told the court he arrested Mr Langford, who he said had been in Ireland for some weeks on foot of a forged passport, on Thursday afternoon in Cork City.

Mr Langford, the garda said, has also gone under the alias Luke Gillespie.

The detective said Mr Langford, after being shown the warrant, denied he was the person who was subject of the extradition request.

Mr Langford, who is in his early 30s, also refused to be fingerprinted, the garda added.

The detective, in reply to Vincent Heneghan BL for the State, said he was satisfied after making inquiries the person he arrested and brought before the court is the person wanted by the British authorities.

At the High Court, Mr Justice David Keane said he was satisfied the person before the court is the person whose surrender is sought in the warrant. He remanded Mr Langford in custody till September 2.

Mr Langford did not speak during the brief hearing.